Seanse’s mission is to enable children and youths to experience and express through art. We arrange and support artist residencies, seminars, workshops, and conferences. We are located at Volda University College, and financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, Møre and Romsdal County, Volda University College, and Arts Council Norway.
We believe in an expanded and improved art practice in education, and the development of partnerships between the arts, schools, and kindergartens. We started and have led the national initiative to bring the Teaching Artist model to Norway since 2012, and were selected to lead the Cultural Rucksack’s country-wide project INK2013 to improve art access for children and youths with special needs. Seanse’s main engagement does however continue to be supporting the production of art for and with children – since 2004 we have hosted more than 550 such productions.
Seanse cooperates extensively with other international artists. With international contributors we arranged the First International Teaching Artist Conference in Oslo in 2012, the Animation and Puppetry Workshop in Volda in 2011, and “The Writing Body” workshop in Tromsø in 2010. In cooperation with Lincoln Center Education, we currently lead an international exchange program for Teaching Artists.
We know that good art programs contributes to children’s development problem solving skills, creativity, critical thinking and ability to adapt. Art is important as a way to reach and deepen understanding and access alternative perspectives. Through sharing our expertise, piloting new art practices, conferences, research, seminars and supporting high-quality productions, we work to improve art for and with children.